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Article
Publication date: 18 August 2014

Sam Al-Kwifi, Zafar U. Ahmed and Dina Yammout

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that underpin brand switching of medical imaging products by mass-market users. Most of the literature on brand switching…

2127

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that underpin brand switching of medical imaging products by mass-market users. Most of the literature on brand switching is focused on competitive market products, for which switching costs are manageable. However, little consideration is given to brand switching of high-technology capital products.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model is developed based on the existing literature on B2B brand switching. An online survey was developed and distributed to decision makers involved in purchasing medical imaging technology.

Findings

The results confirm the expectation that product features is the most influential factor underpinning brand switching. Product features are critical for medical organizations who want to maintain their competitive advantage. The findings suggest that the set of factors that influence the decision to switch is unique for users of different market segments in the same industry (e.g. lead users and mass-market users). This difference stems from technology utilization of each market segment.

Research limitations/implications

In high-technology markets, managers should develop a reliable strategy to evaluate the antecedents behind brand switching that are specific to their industry. Knowledge of the major factors that cause users to switch is essential to allow firms to determine the strategy needed to prevent the erosion of their market share.

Originality/value

Although the literature reports considerable research on brand switching, this study is a first-of-its-kind in that it demonstrates that the factors underpinning brand switching vary within the same industry, based on the characteristics of each market segment. This paper develops new knowledge on the factors that influence the decision of users of high-technology capital products to switch between brands to renew or improve their internal capabilities.

Details

Journal of Product & Brand Management, vol. 23 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1061-0421

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2009

Adam Lindgreen, Michael Antioco, Roger Palmer and Tim van Heesch

During the industrial purchasing process of high‐tech, innovative products, various decision‐influencers within buying companies evaluate the attractiveness of the manufacturer's…

4038

Abstract

Purpose

During the industrial purchasing process of high‐tech, innovative products, various decision‐influencers within buying companies evaluate the attractiveness of the manufacturer's market offering; namely the “value” of the offering. This paper aims to identify the various tangible and intangible value elements requested by the business customer, and the stage(s) of the purchasing process in which these value considerations take place.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a framework that will effectively guide manufacturers of high‐tech, innovative products to market, and customize, their offer throughout the different stages of prospective business customers' purchasing process.

Findings

The findings, derived from in‐depth interviews, demonstrate that manufacturers should focus on distinctive product‐, service‐, and supplier‐related value elements, and that the particular elements depend on the different decision‐influencers, as well as the different stages of the purchasing process.

Originality/value

The paper discusses some avenues for future research in the marketing of high‐tech products.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 24 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Kevin Murphy, Edwin Torres, William Ingram and Joe Hutchinson

The present research aims to examine the scholarly literature on high-performance work practices (HPWPs). Relevant comparisons were made between the hospitality industry, service…

3992

Abstract

Purpose

The present research aims to examine the scholarly literature on high-performance work practices (HPWPs). Relevant comparisons were made between the hospitality industry, service industry and various other contextual environments in general business that might impact the choice and implementation of HPWPs, and a set of work practices was proposed for the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review was conducted of scholarly literature related to HPWPs that was published in the past 25 years (1991-2015). A total of 89 scholarly articles were considered in this summary. Based on this review, HPWPs in the hospitality industry were compared and contrasted with other industry sectors.

Findings

There is little consensus among researchers concerning specific HPWPs that should be used by every company to improve their organizational- or individual-level performance. Thus, a specific set of 13 HPWPs that take into consideration the unique characteristics of the industry, based on a review of empirical research, was identified for the hospitality industry as a starting point for future research in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

Following a comparison of HPWPs in the hospitality, services literature and manufacturing-based industry context, the authors extend the body of knowledge and propose a set of HPWPs for future research in the hospitality industry. HPWPs can have positive impacts on both organizational- and individual-level performance. Thirteen specific hospitality HPWPs were identified that are most beneficial, and the circumstances under which they might yield optimal results enhance the scholar’s understanding of HPWPs and provide guidance to human resource professionals to make evidence-based decisions. A better understanding of HPWPs can assist human resource professionals in making policy decisions that optimize the use of human capital in their organizations.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2008

Ivan Abel

This study aims to examine validity of the first mover advantage theory (FMA) in the context of digital audio player (DAP) market. It explores two research questions: do…

4024

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine validity of the first mover advantage theory (FMA) in the context of digital audio player (DAP) market. It explores two research questions: do first‐movers improve their resources and capabilities and thus establish industry leadership? Do firms' initial resources affect the timing of entry?

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the methodological problems of earlier research, the study employs historical analysis of archival sources, capturing the longitudinal nature of the market evolution and competitive dynamics within the industry.

Findings

The results show that pioneering entry is significantly inferior to later entry strategy. While the pioneers failed, Apple Computer, a follower, gained dominance. Firm's resources influence timing of entry. The pioneers are small firms while large firms prefer to enter later.

Research limitations/implications

This study analyzed the evolution of a single radical innovation from its inception through growth stage and results may not apply to continuous innovations.

Practical implications

Managers should understand that it is not the first‐in‐market, but the firm that invests in developing its resources and capabilities in marketing, production and continual product improvement that ends up dominating the new market.

Originality/value

The contribution is identified in three areas as the most important for future research of FMA: it considers advantages of both pioneers and followers in an integrative fashion, it looks into how firms' resources and environmental conditions affect performance, and it uses multiple measures of performance.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1988

Bernard C. Reimann

The Academy of Management held its 1988 annual convention at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, August 5–11. The setting was highly appropriate, since some of the topics…

Abstract

The Academy of Management held its 1988 annual convention at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, August 5–11. The setting was highly appropriate, since some of the topics presented and discussed clearly bordered on fantasy.

Details

Planning Review, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0094-064X

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2020

Hirak Jyoti Hazarika, Akash Handique and S. Ravikumar

This paper aims to provide image repository to the medical professional in an open source platform, which will increase the visibility of Digital Imaging and Communication in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide image repository to the medical professional in an open source platform, which will increase the visibility of Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) image in a network mode; further, the proposed system will reduce the storage cost of the images to significant level.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have developed a new institutional repository model for the medical professionals cum radiologists to preserve, store and retrieve medical images from one database with the help of open source software. The authors used JavaScript programming to integrate and develop the DICOM Standard with DSpace.

Findings

Major outcome of this work is that DICOM images can be accommodated in DSpace without modifying the image properties and keeping intact the various dimensions of image viewing options. Further, it was found that the images are retrieved without any ease because of the robust indexing system.

Research limitations/implications

Major limitation of this study was the size of the data (5000 DICOM image) with which the authors have tested the system. The scalability of the system has to be tested on various fronts, for which separate study has to be done.

Practical implications

Once this system is in place, DICOM user can store, retrieve and access the image from Web platform. This proposed repository will be the storehouse of various DICOM images with reasonable storage costs.

Originality/value

In addition to exploring the opportunities of open source software (OSS) implementation in Medical Fields, this study includes issues related to implementation of open source repository for storing and preserving medical image. This is the first time in Library Science field to create and develop Open Source DICOM Medical Image Library with the help of DSpace. The study will create value for library professionals as well as medical professionals and OSS vendors to understand the medical market in the context of OSS.

Details

Collection and Curation, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9326

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2020

Areej Aftab Siddiqui and Parul Singh

Medical device industry in India is a niche sector with few key players but it possesses huge potential for both domestic and international trade. In recent years, a number of…

Abstract

Purpose

Medical device industry in India is a niche sector with few key players but it possesses huge potential for both domestic and international trade. In recent years, a number of regulatory relaxations have been provided to medical device manufacturers in India to enhance production and further trade especially exports. Though the industry is highly dependent on imports, the purpose of this paper is to identify key medical devices using the revealed comparative advantage, which can be exported from India by identifying new markets.

Design/methodology/approach

For the selected medical devices, India’s exports to the world and the newly identified markets are forecasted using the autoregressive integrated moving average model of regression.

Findings

It is seen that three major medical devices emerge to be the ones where India has the capacity and potential to manufacture and export. These medical devices are electro-cardiographs, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and oscilloscopes and oscillographs being exported to the USA, Australia; China and the USA, respectively, which is rising in recent years.

Research limitations/implications

As the forecasted values indicate that there is an increasing potential in exports from India to the world of the selected medical devices, there is an urgent need to develop this industry and enhance exports from India. Very few studies have been carried out to examine and forecast exports from specific sectors or industries which is the need of the hour now.

Originality/value

The paper also provides suggestions to exporters and policymakers on leveraging the future export potential of selected medical devices.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2011

Nir Kshetri

Industrialized world‐based healthcare providers are increasingly off‐shoring low‐end healthcare services such as medical transcription, billing and insurance claims. High‐skill…

2693

Abstract

Purpose

Industrialized world‐based healthcare providers are increasingly off‐shoring low‐end healthcare services such as medical transcription, billing and insurance claims. High‐skill medical jobs such as tele‐imaging and tele‐pathology are also being sub‐contracted to developing countries. Despite its importance, little theory or research exists to explain what factors affect industry growth. The article's goals, therefore, are to examine economic processes associated with developing economies' shift from low‐ to high‐value information technology enabled healthcare services, and to investigate how these differ in terms of legitimacy from regulative, normative and cognitive institutions in the sending country and how healthcare services differ from other services.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is conceptual and theory‐building. Broadly, its approach can be described as a positivistic epistemology.

Findings

Anti off‐shoring regulative, normative and cognitive pressures in the sending country are likely to be stronger in healthcare than in most business process outsourcing. Moreover, such pressures are likely to be stronger in high‐value rather than in low‐value healthcare off‐shoring. The findings also indicate that off‐shoring low‐value healthcare services and emergent healthcare industries in a developing economy help accumulate implicit and tacit knowledge required for off‐shoring high‐value healthcare services.

Research limitations/implications

The approach lacks primary data and empirical documentation.

Practical implications

The article helps in understanding industry drivers and its possible future direction. The findings help in understanding the lens through which various institutional actors in a sending country view healthcare service off‐shoring.

Originality/value

The article's value stems from its analytical context, mechanisms and processes associated with developing economies' shift to high‐value healthcare off‐shoring services.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2018

Joanne Pransky

The following article is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal…

Abstract

Purpose

The following article is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent industry engineer-turned successful innovator and entrepreneur regarding the development of his inventions and the challenges he faced. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The interviewee is Dr Amit Goffer, Chief Technology Officer and President at UPnRIDE Robotics Ltd., a startup that makes a wheeled robotic device for almost anyone who is unable to physically stand or walk. He served as Chief Executive Officer (until 2012) and President and Chief Technical Officer of ReWalk Robotics, a company he founded in 2001 (previously called Argo Medical Technologies Ltd). Prior to Argo/ReWalk, Dr Goffer served as the Founder at Odin Medical Technologies Ltd. (later acquired by Medtronic), President and Chief Executive Officer. As an accomplished inventor and serial entrepreneur of medical devices, Goffer describes how his education in school and in running his companies combined with his life experiences led to his breakthroughs.

Findings

Dr Amit Goffer completed BSc from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, MSc from Tel-Aviv University, Israel, and PhD from Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA, all in electrical and computer engineering. After working for Elscint, a medical imaging company, Goffer started Odin Medical to provide real-time magnetic resonance imaging images for brain surgery. After a tragic accident confined him to a wheelchair, Goffer created ReWalk, a robotic exoskeleton that enables people with lower limb disabilities to stand, walk, ascend/descend stairs and more. He recently founded his latest company, UPnRIDE.

Originality/value

Dr Amit Goffer is highly regarded as a pioneer of the emerging exoskeleton industry. His invention and development of the ReWalk Robotics wearable exoskeleton has enabled so far hundreds of wheelchair users to walk again, and another estimated 500,000 could benefit from it. Despite Goffer not being able to use the ReWalk himself, as he is a quadriplegic, his greatest passion is to improve the disabled’s self-esteem and quality of life. ReWalk was the first commercially available exoskeleton in the USA. It was named “best invention” by Popular Science and Time magazines. ReWalk Robotics went public in 2014. In 2015, the US Veteran’s Administration announced they would provide ReWalks for all eligible veterans with spinal cord injuries. Goffer recently devised UPnRIDE as a new product, allowing millions of wheelchair users worldwide, including himself, full mobility in the standing position in almost any urban environment.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 45 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2020

Eloise Radcliffe, Maria Kordowicz, Caroline Mak, Guy Shefer, David Armstrong, Patrick White and Mark Ashworth

The purpose of this paper is to understand the barriers and enablers to lean implementation as part of an imaging quality improvement programme from a socio-cultural perspective.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the barriers and enablers to lean implementation as part of an imaging quality improvement programme from a socio-cultural perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth 33 month ethnographic study, using observation and qualitative interviews, examined the process of lean implementation as part of an improvement programme.

Findings

Implementation of lean was more successful compared with other reports of lean in healthcare settings. Key enablers of lean were high levels of multidisciplinary staff involvement and engagement; the professional credibility of facilitators and clinicians as early adopters, all within a wider culture of relatively strong inter-professional relationships in the imaging department. These enablers combined with the more routinised and standardised nature of imaging pathways compared to some other acute specialties suggest that imaging is fertile ground for lean, linked to the manufacturing origins of lean.

Practical implications

When introducing lean within healthcare settings, special attention needs to be paid to the specific healthcare context and the existing cultures of inter-professional relationships. Fostering an improvement culture and engagement with training, together with adequate financial resource, are a key to contributing to the level of acceptability of an improvement tool such as lean.

Originality/value

This ethnographic study, bringing together rich multi-source data, has provided a detailed insight into the cultural workings of the process of lean implementation within a complex healthcare system.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 34 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

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